12 Lent Recipes That Are Filling, Flavorful, and Easy to Make

Sheela Prakash
Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
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updated Feb 3, 2021
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Five fish stick tacos sit on a table next to quartered limes in a bowl, salsa, and pepper.
Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Quick & Easy Crispy Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

If you observe Lent, this Friday begins the period when you’ll abstain from meat on Fridays until Easter (it’s the first Sunday of April this year). Pizza Fridays are always a good idea, but after a few weeks you may find yourself in need of a little fresh inspiration. These 12 dinner ideas are centered around vegetables, beans, and seafood, making them perfect options for Lent — although they’re so tasty that they could become new favorites you’ll cook all year long!

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Garlicky Mushroom Bolognese
This meat-free sauce is everything you love about a classic, slow-cooked Bolognese — without the meat (and in a little less time, too).
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2 / 12
Cheesy Vegetable Melts
Don't feel limited to the vegetables called for in this recipe. Here's your opportunity to clear out whatever is languishing in your crisper drawer and turn it into a satisfying meal.
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Honey-Glazed Salmon
A simple pantry glaze made with honey, lime, soy sauce, and garlic lends salmon fillets with a punchy flavor and an eye-catching sheen. And best of all, the whole thing comes together in 10 minutes.
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4 / 12
Mediterranean Tuna Noodle Casserole
This lightened-up take on classic tuna-noodle casserole is inspired by Niçoise salad. It swaps the canned soup for a quick milk- and flour-based sauce, and is filled with artichokes, olives, capers, and potatoes.
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Vegetarian Chili
Pick your favorite bean (pinto, black, kidney, or garbanzo) to make this hearty meatless chili. Or combine a few different types depending on what cans you have in the pantry.
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Sheet Pan Mustard Maple Salmon
A simple glaze of Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar turns a quick sheet pan supper into something that feels special.
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Quick & Easy Crispy Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
These crispy fish tacos start with frozen beer-battered cod fillets, which makes them extra quick to prepare.
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Mushroom and Garlic Spaghetti Dinner
This meatless pasta is full of savory, almost-meaty flavor, thanks to loads of umami-rich mushrooms, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
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Easy Sheet Pan Chili Garlic Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli
You'll want to have cooked rice ready to go when preparing this sheet pan meal, as it comes together so quickly you won't have time to do it while it's being made.
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Baked Fish Fingers and Sweet Potato Wedges
These kid-friendly fish sticks are much more wholesome than the kind that come in a box. Use whatever white fish is available to you — we especially like cod — and serve them with tartar sauce for dipping.
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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
While serving these colorful tacos with crumbled feta or cotija cheese is optional, we think serving them with plenty of creamy guacamole isn't.
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Salmon Patties
Keep a few cans of salmon in your pantry and you'll be able to make these patties at a moment's notice. They're wonderful on their own with just a squeeze of lemon, but also make for a good impromptu fish burger when tucked inside a bun with a swipe of mayo.
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Credit: Kitchn
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vegetarian